best atinic lighting

dermer · 08/02/2007, 12:26 AM

i currently have 2 250 watt 20k mh and i think that i need some atinic supplement what are the best ones to go with

Melody · 08/02/2007, 12:34 AM

Vho uri super actinic R is the best, IMO.

dermer · 08/02/2007, 01:09 AM

i have been looking at a set of T5 any thoughts on them

Trigeek · 08/02/2007, 04:48 AM

I think most are very happy with T5 actinics. They'll take up less room than VHOs. Check the lighting etc. forum.

AZDesertRat · 08/02/2007, 11:04 AM

URI (now UV Lighting) VHO Super Actinics are the best available. T5 is close but still does not have the same coloration as VHOs do.

Peter Eichler · 08/02/2007, 11:44 AM

T5s actinics can be quite good, however some are far less impressive than others so do some research on bulbs if you decide to go that route.

D-Nak · 08/02/2007, 11:46 AM

My first question is... what type of look are you going for or what do you want to accomplish by adding more actinics? I personally think adding actinics to 20k bulbs would be too blue for me. If you're looking for more PAR, then I think you have many options by switching out your halides for ones that produce more PAR.

I personally like the look of the VHO actinics the best (versus T5 or power compacts) since they seem to make things "glow" more. If you have a limited mount of space, T5s will probably give you the most output. I think your best bet is to take a look at LFS set-ups or fellow reefers' tanks who may be using halides and actinic supplmentation to see which you like the best.

D-Nak

RichConley · 08/02/2007, 01:16 PM

Adding acticnics to 20Ks isnt goign to make them any more blue. Its going to make them more purple.

D-Nak · 08/02/2007, 04:14 PM

Right Rich... too blue too purple... it's going to be too much for me (just my personal taste).

D-Nak

Roy G. Biv · 08/02/2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dermer
i currently have 2 250 watt 20k mh and i think that i need some atinic supplement what are the best ones to go with

I think the next step for you would be blacklight bulbs. 20K isnt blue enough?

AquaKnight · 08/02/2007, 09:16 PM

Is your tank back painted or covered at all, dermer? Add a black background (either vinyl or limo tint) and it will make everything pop with those 20k bulbs.

IslandCrow · 08/02/2007, 09:57 PM

I agree that T5 actinics don't have quite the same look as the VHOs, but they've gotten much better with the 420nm wavelengths now available. If you go with T5s, I'd suggest getting an equal number of 420nm and 450nm bulbs, like the Geissman Pure Actinic 03 and Actinic Plus. The result is very similar to VHO actinics. The Actinic Plus by itself doesn't have the florescence, and the Pure Actinic by itself is very purple.

dermer · 08/03/2007, 08:50 AM

thatnks for all the in put yes my background is blue the reason im looking for somthing to supplement so that i can have a warm up and cool down period instead of mh on mh off i like the color my mh put off they are hqi double end bulbs

08/02/2007, 12:26 AM	#1
dermer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 523	best atinic lighting i currently have 2 250 watt 20k mh and i think that i need some atinic supplement what are the best ones to go with

08/02/2007, 11:44 AM	#6
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	T5s actinics can be quite good, however some are far less impressive than others so do some research on bulbs if you decide to go that route. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

08/02/2007, 11:46 AM	#7
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	My first question is... what type of look are you going for or what do you want to accomplish by adding more actinics? I personally think adding actinics to 20k bulbs would be too blue for me. If you're looking for more PAR, then I think you have many options by switching out your halides for ones that produce more PAR. I personally like the look of the VHO actinics the best (versus T5 or power compacts) since they seem to make things "glow" more. If you have a limited mount of space, T5s will probably give you the most output. I think your best bet is to take a look at LFS set-ups or fellow reefers' tanks who may be using halides and actinic supplmentation to see which you like the best. D-Nak __________________ Tank info: 120 gallon 48x30x20 high DT. Clownfish breeding rack in full swing: C-Quest Onyx, Bali Aquarich P1 Picasso + Rod's Onyx, wild percula + Rod's Onyx.

08/02/2007, 01:16 PM	#8
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Adding acticnics to 20Ks isnt goign to make them any more blue. Its going to make them more purple. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

08/02/2007, 04:14 PM	#9
D-Nak Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 5,797	Right Rich... too blue too purple... it's going to be too much for me (just my personal taste). D-Nak __________________ Tank info: 120 gallon 48x30x20 high DT. Clownfish breeding rack in full swing: C-Quest Onyx, Bali Aquarich P1 Picasso + Rod's Onyx, wild percula + Rod's Onyx.

08/02/2007, 12:34 AM	#2
Melody Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 928	Vho uri super actinic R is the best, IMO.

08/02/2007, 01:09 AM	#3
dermer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 523	i have been looking at a set of T5 any thoughts on them

08/02/2007, 04:48 AM	#4
Trigeek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Broward County, FL Posts: 638	I think most are very happy with T5 actinics. They'll take up less room than VHOs. Check the lighting etc. forum.

08/02/2007, 11:04 AM	#5
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	URI (now UV Lighting) VHO Super Actinics are the best available. T5 is close but still does not have the same coloration as VHOs do.

08/02/2007, 09:16 PM	#11
AquaKnight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Emerald Coast Posts: 2,030	Is your tank back painted or covered at all, dermer? Add a black background (either vinyl or limo tint) and it will make everything pop with those 20k bulbs.

08/02/2007, 09:57 PM	#12
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	I agree that T5 actinics don't have quite the same look as the VHOs, but they've gotten much better with the 420nm wavelengths now available. If you go with T5s, I'd suggest getting an equal number of 420nm and 450nm bulbs, like the Geissman Pure Actinic 03 and Actinic Plus. The result is very similar to VHO actinics. The Actinic Plus by itself doesn't have the florescence, and the Pure Actinic by itself is very purple. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?

08/03/2007, 08:50 AM	#13
dermer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 523	thatnks for all the in put yes my background is blue the reason im looking for somthing to supplement so that i can have a warm up and cool down period instead of mh on mh off i like the color my mh put off they are hqi double end bulbs